Another beautiful 30C+ day, clear sky, no wind and no humidity. On the bus for a quick overview of the city centre before heading to Belem - to the pioneering years of the age and voyages of discovery.
First to the Torre de Belem, the 1515 fortress jutting out into the Rio Tego at Lisbon's entrance. Then to the Padrao dos Descobrimentos, a 52m high, caravel like monument inaugarated in 1960 on the 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigator's death - with Henry at the prow and 32 other Portuguese giants, including Vasco da Gama.
On then to Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, a fairy tale of a Monastery founded in 1501 to trumpet Vasco da Gama's discovery of a sea route to India. Once populated by monks of the Order of St Jerome whose spiritual job for 4 centuries was to comfort sailors and pray for the King's soul. Now one of Lisbon's top tourist sites (and the surrounding buses and crowds proved that). We had an expedited entry through the west portal to view part of its magnificence, including the interred Vasco da Gama.
Then an "original" Belem tart from the "famous", "original" bakehouse after which we took leave from the group as they headed for a three town optional which we will do over two days later in our trip. So, it was off to see the massive queue at the "original" bakehouse (how jealous would Krispy Creme be!!). Then to the Tropical Botanic Gardens, a coffee and the tram back to Cais do Sodre to the big Time Out market and eatery, then the ferry across the Rio Tejo to the small riverside suburb of Cacilhas for a wander and then a late lunch/early seafood dinner of grilled sardines, grilled cod and 1/2 litre of red wine for €17.50.
Back on the ferry and the Metro to the Altis Grand, a swim and time at our roof top bar for sangria, beer and bar snacks.
The legs are starting to struggle - not so much the cobblestones, but the uneveness of the surfaces, often one foot 4 or 5 cm, higher or lower than the other - and then the reverse on the next step forward. But loving this holiday so far.
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